The NUI Galway ladies soccer team were claimed the Irish Premier Division winners recently with the underdogs coming out on top over a formidable IT Carlow side. This victory for the women from the West meant that they made history, becoming the first ever team to capture the Colleges Premier League title for their university.
The game took place along with the first division cup and plate finals in the sports grounds of UL, and the large crowd which travelled could not have anticipated the incredible spectacle of a game which unfolded.
The Galway team dominated the first quarter of the game with exchange student Kara Shue causing havoc with her pace up front. Indeed, it was through Shue that NUIG took the lead with a superb shot into the top right corner.
When the NUI team failed to clear the ball from a corner soon after, Senior Irish international Claire O’ Riordan brought Carlow back into the game reacting quickest to scramble the ball home. Defender Aoife Walsh took a knock to the head and her absence on the field meant Galway were down to 10 players for a noticeable period. It was during this time that O’ Riordan latched onto a through ball and neatly finished to the back of the net to make it 2-1 before halftime.
Things were to get worse for the NUIG side when, minutes into the second half, O’Riordan struck again to complete her hat trick and put Carlow in full control of the game.
However, the Galway women never dropped their heads and showed a strong sense of belief in their ability all through. In a quick 5 minute turnaround, Lisa Casserly pulled one back on the 70th minute mark, before captain Jennifer Byrne, who dominated the midfield throughout the entire game, headed home to make it 3-3.
IT Carlow were clearly rattled and it was NUI Galway that looked more like pushing on in extra time. However, a winning goal eluded both teams and penalties were needed to decide the outcome following an incredibly competitive 120 minutes of quality football.
Shauna Fox, Paula McGrory and Lisa Casserly all converted their penalties for NUIG, but it was keeper Louise Creaven that stole the show, producing two top saves from well struck Carlow penalties. Following Creaven’s heroics, it was fittingly left to captain Jenny Byrne to take the deciding penalty. She unnervingly smashed the ball home to end a dramatic shootout and give the historic victory to the team in maroon. The bond between the Galway players was evident among not only the 11 that started, but more importantly the panel of over 30 that travelled and ecstatically invaded the field moments later.
Huge congratulations are due to the dedicated management team and hugely committed players, who’s talent and belief shone through in this heated contest.
Squad: Louise Creaven, Aoife Walsh, Eimear Foley, Kara Shue, Laura Carroll, Rosa Shine, Shauna Fox(Man of the Match), Ciara Lynagh, Maebh Coleman, Ella McMackin, Lisa Casserley, Jenny Byrne(Captain), Paula McGrory, Michelle Doherty, Bridget Westermann, Tori D’Acunto, Alison McGonagle, Sarah Peters, Jillian Zittoli, Emma Horgan